Chapter 13 Banished, but then return to wait …

Often leaders increased in greed,
proud and unscrupulous, they no longer lead,
in a way that is helpful and needful to those
under their banner, forgetting who chose
to give them their life and their power and task,
and in their own glory, not his, these rogues bask.

Then, the people drifting, lolling
in their pleasures, unaware,
or with no care,
for the needy, for compassion,
for the undeserved provision
of the Great-One, they ignore
his instruction,
no intention
to give honour, and submit –
worshipping as they see fit.

He cannot allow all this stench to remain,
polluting his land, making vile again.
For they were to live as his servants to show
his ways so the clans around will know,
be prepared for his coming as one of them, Saviour,
and wait for, and trust in this coming Redeemer.

Then the One who rules the cosmos,
unconfined, observing all,
sees all those self-centred, haughty
who ignore his words and will,
and who choose a formal reverence,
worship acts with no heart substance,
no acknowledged full submission,
no repentance or contrition,
no awareness of the glory,
power and awesome pure authority
of the Ruler-of-the-spheres,
who from time to time appears
now and then; but soon as Steward-child,
to save them, will come forward.

In the end these ones so blest
he left to bear a stark conquest
(though those who cruelly on them leapt
would know the record’s also kept
of all their malice and their greed).

Dejected, and ashamed, and weak,
how many then would truly seek
his help, and mercy,
honour truly
the Holy One of Eternity?

Torn away from their precious place,
shaken, and puzzled,
impotent to help their case.
But, at the promised time miraculously returned,
sobered, their deceptive idols spurned,
acknowledging their Covenant Lord,
enjoying,
and awaiting
more of promised grace outpoured…